Fitzgerald Street Affordable Housing

This project is built on a very constrained and long site on Fitzgerald Street in Perth and comprises 49 affordable dwellings, 2 commercial tenancies, a full basement carpark and a significant courtyard which extends the full extent of the northern part of the site.

This courtyard, formed as a principle design element for the project, creates a wonderful social community space which links all built components together and ensures the provision of high quality northern light to all parts of the development.

The buildings are a mix of an eight storey tower and two blocks of three and four storey apartments.

The design of the overall development is in accordance with the Department of Housing requirements but has lifted the project into a realm of being a significant contribution to the urban fabric of this part of Perth plus a quality community and home for numerous people and families.

The development has been constructed with a simple palette of materials and colours to provide a fresh, modern appearance. Following an intense period of research and testing of numerous materials and construction techniques it was decided that the majority of load bearing and panelised walls would be constructed using AFS.

This analysis was undertaken on a cost vs time assessment whereby the AFS was comparable in cost with masonry options but provided at least a 5 week saving in construction time which was deemed to be essential. Added benefits include massive reductions of waste sent to landfill, the elimination of wet trades on site and significant strength, all elements also shared with tilt up concrete solutions.

In addition, a very successful public art process was undertaken which saw the development of a unique pattern which was used as the gold and silver perforation to the aluminum screens which were required for sunshading and privacy and tie the development together.

The project has achieved not only an outstanding result for the community of its inhabitants but also value of the highest order for the Department of Housing.

This project was shortlisted for Inside World Architecture Festival Awards held in Singapore in 2012 and also won a Royal Institute of British Architects, International Design Award for Excellence in Architecture in 2013.